Parish House

[nanny jan]

My son is renovating his new home, a very old cottage in Dorset, which shows signs of a fire.....perhaps 200 years ago, maybe more.  Trying to find a newspaper account I found one reference to his village (1833) which referred to  "the parish house".

I've not come across this phrase before; what would it be? Is it an early form of workhouse?

He's also just found a George III coin (1806) under a floorboard; don't think it's worth much. 


Nanny Jan

[conahy calling]

http://british-coin-price-guide.homelinux.com/index_files/Page752.htm

Link about George 111 coin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clergy_house    See  paragraph titled "Nomenclature" on this link.

[nanny jan]

Thank you for the links. Both are very useful.


Nanny Jan

[stanmapstone]

which referred to  "the parish house".
I've not come across this phrase before; what would it be? Is it an early form of workhouse?
Nanny Jan

Usually called the "Church House" See the page at http://www.rootschat.com/links/01eok/

Stan

[nanny jan]

Thanks Stan; so a village in Dorset would still use that phrase in 1833.


Nanny Jan

[stanmapstone]

The church house was a secular possession of the parish, and was usually a substantial building, often two storeys. A number of church houses have survived in the south-western counties.
From "A History of the English Parish"  http://www.rootschat.com/links/01eoo/ 
There is a Parish House at Baltonsborough, http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/parish-house-10611/
Stan

[nanny jan]

Thanks again Stan; very interesting.

Nanny Jan